Explore exciting community events around the Bronx this month.
BRONX NIGHT MARKET
AT FORDHAM PLAZA
Saturday, July 6th from 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Tickets: FREE with RSVP!
As the longest-running event series in the northmost borough, the Bronx Night Market stands as a transformative force, revolutionizing the foodie scene and cultivating a deep connection to the identity of the Bronx. With a remarkable lineup of 50 local vendors, this iconic market draws over 4,000 guests each time, making it a thriving hub for community engagement and culinary exploration. Beyond its diverse array of cuisines and unique vendors, the Night Market serves as a dynamic platform for local businesses, providing a stage for the wealth of talents within the Bronx. The event embodies the spirit of the borough, celebrating its unique identity through a fusion of flavors, cultures, and entrepreneurial spirit. The Bronx Night Market is not merely a culinary gathering; it is a powerful reflection of the community’s resilience, creativity, and collective pride, contributing to the borough’s cultural richness and economic vibrancy.
THE MOTH'S
OPEN MIC STORYSLAM
Wednesday, July 17th
Doors at 7:00pm, Program begins at 7:30pm
Tickets: $17.50
The Moth, a renowned storytelling podcast, is popping up at The Bronx Museum for StorySLAM—an ongoing open-mic event series in which ten volunteers are chosen at random to share a five-minute story on a specific theme.
The theme of this StorySLAM is “Achilles’ Heels.” Those interested in participating should prepare a story about weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and soft spots—whether it’s your secret love of harlequin novels, your fear of clowns, or your need to have the last word. Regale us with tales of your personal kryptonite.
At the end of the StorySLAM, a winner will be crowned by The Moth’s judges. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this unforgettable night—whether as an audience member or by stepping into the spotlight as a storyteller!
Free Community Paddling
Friday, July 12th from 11:00am to 3:00pm
Location: Concrete Plant Park
Join us on Friday, July 12th, 2024, for a Free Community Paddle at Concrete Plant Park from 11 AM to 3 PM. This is a great activity for beginners and families to join. Canoes will be available for partners and families, and kayaks will be available for solo paddlers.
Please note that this event is first come, first served, and no sign up is required. All participants are required to fill out waivers at the time of sign-up. Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
Urban Park Ranger Volunteer Litter Clean-Up
Saturday, July 27th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: Crotona Nature Center
There’s no better way to contribute to a cleaner and healthier community than by volunteering. Join the Urban Park Rangers and fellow community members to clean and beautify Crotona Park.
Pages II Poses
Saturday, July 13th from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Location: The Bronx Collab, 3866 White Plains Rd at 222nd Street
Pages II Poses is an immersive experience that builds a connection between literature and yoga movement.
As we bend and fold the pages, the words will inspire how the body bends and folds with each movement, followed by a moment of reflection. Selected passages will explore a variety of themes. Each participant will walk away with a new knowing of the words and their bodies. In honor of his centennial birthday, this session will pull passages from The Last Interview by James Baldwin. Join tasha and Jazy as they bring wellness to Baldwin’s words while championing his fearlessness and integrity as an exceptional writer, profound thinker, and dynamic individual.
Going to Meet the Man by James Baldwin
Saturdays, 12-1:30p: July 20, 27, August 3, 10, & 17
– James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center, 100 W Mosholu Pkwy S
Mondays, 7-8:30p: July 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, & 19
– BAAD/Bronx Academy of Art & Dance, 2474 Westchester Ave
Tuesdays, 7-8:30p: July 23, 30, August 6, & 13
– on Zoom
Going to Meet the Man, published in 1965, is a collection of eight short stories that cover many topics related to anti-Black racism in American society: African-American–Jewish relations, the creative process, criminal justice, drug addiction, jazz, sexuality, and white supremacy.
WONDERLAND:
CURIOUS NATURE
May 18th through October 27th from 10:00am to 6:00pm
Special Ticket Required
It’s unbelievable, it’s unfamiliar, it’s NYBG like never before! Head down the rabbit hole as Wonderland: Curious Nature transforms the Garden through the sights, settings, and scents of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland—and step into a botanical experience that grows curiouser and curiouser along the way. You’ll choose your own adventure as you fall deeper into our otherworldly gardens, mind-bending contemporary artworks, and gallery exhibitions filled with wonderfully weird marvels, and see the Garden through Alice’s playful and curious eyes.
Join us for fantastical tea parties, immerse yourself in thousands of colorful Victorian flowers, meet some of Wonderland’s fanciful and familiar characters, and go a little mad with us in this world of wild imagination!
Spanning spring, summer, and fall of 2024, this major exhibition celebrates a tale treasured the world over. It’s sure to tease your senses, and you’re invited to be part of the story. Won’t you join us for tea?
NYBG FARMERS MARKET
Wednesdays, May 22nd through October 23rd from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Voted one of the top 10 farmers markets in NYC by TimeOut New York!
The annual NYBG Farmers market season is here with fresh local food! Visit and enjoy a variety of locally grown produce, fresh baked goods, and other specialty items. Curated by Market Director Pascale Le Draoulec, the NYBG Farmers Market boasts 20 rotating vendors each week with 2 featured farms: Fino Farms and Fresh Meadow Farm. Make your weekly produce shopping a delightful experience with local fare and live music. Learn more below!
THE SOUNDVIEW GARDENER'S CLUB
every Tuesday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: Soundview Field House – 1550 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx
The Soundview Gardener’s Club is a space where After-School students from local schools and community volunteers come together to clear invasive plants, plant trees/native plants, and spread mulch as part of our forest restoration efforts in Soundview Park in The Bronx.
NYRR Open Run
Every Saturday from 9:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Entrance – Lafayette Avenue and Morrison Avenue
NYRR Open Run brings free, 5K weekly community-led runs, to neighborhood parks across the greater New York City area. The program is free and open to runners and walkers of all ages, abilities, and experience levels.
Called the “Gateway to the Bronx River,” 205-acre Soundview Park is located where the Bronx River opens into the East River. This urban green space is filled with grassy baseball and soccer fields, a cricket pitch, basketball courts, a running track, walking/biking paths, picnic fields, and more! With its extensive views of the water, Soundview Park celebrates the beauty of both the Bronx and East Rivers. The back part of our Open Run course has beautiful views of the Bronx River waterfront for participants to enjoy!
Starlight Cinema: Enchanted Forest
July 9: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
July 16: The Princess Bride (1987)
July 23: Shrek (2001)
July 30: Into the Woods (2014)
August 6: Official Rain Date
Location: Parade Ground in Van Cortlandt Park
FREE! Movies in the Park FREE!
8:30-ish • Movies Begin at Last Light
7 PM • Music of 1939, 1987, 2001, 2014
7:30 PM • Movie-themed Crafts
Family Camping: Bronx
Sunday, July 14th from 6:00pm to 7:00am
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park
We camp to create lasting memories, connect with the natural world, and bond with our families. The Urban Park Rangers celebrate the tradition of camping and we look forward to welcoming your family. Families are chosen by lottery. Lottery registration opens on Wednesday July 3.
Summer Birding
Sunday, July 14th from 9:30am to 11:00am
Tickets:$17; including admission to the grounds. Wave Hill Members save 10%.
Location: Meet at Perkins Visitor Center
Naturalist and Audubon guide Gabriel Willow leads birders through the gardens and woodlands to seek out summer birds. Observe the plants, insects and habitats at Wave Hill that make it so appealing for such a wide variety of birds. A limited number of binoculars, monoculars and walking sticks are available to borrow at the Perkins Visitor Center.
Stories in the Garden
Thursday, July 25th from 11:00am to 12:00pm
Tickets: Free with admission to the grounds
Location: Meet at the Flower Garden
Join Wave Hill and Literacy in Community Educators for storytime in the garden! Stories will come to life through interactive book readings and related activities. For rain or other extreme weather, meet in Gund Theater in Wave Hill House. Ideal for children ages three to six with an adult.
Comic Culture
Summer Monsters
Saturday July 6th, 13th, and 27th at 1:00pm
Location: Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center
Join celebrated cartoonist and teaching artist Ivan Velez, as he leads a Saturday afternoon comics/manga art program for kids 8 to 16 years of age at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center. The will be held upstairs at the Rec center. All art supplies will be provided free of charge.
Did you know that Great Performances is headquartered in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx? We love being a part of the Bronx community, supporting other Bronx-based companies, and giving back to our community.
In November 2023, Aubrey Hunt, a member of our event staff, was awarded a Great Performances Fellowship Award. The $5,000 grant is presented following a rigorous selection process overseen by judges who are notable individuals in the creative and artistic fields throughout New York City. Members of our event staff who meet employment criteria and invited to submit an application to the grant, which comprises a description of their project, a budget and outline of what they’d do with the award money, and any additional supporting materials. We received almost 100 applications and awarded 4 grants.
Aubrey’s project was to complete a children’s book he had written inspired by watching a flock of pigeons take flight while he was working at an event at Jazz at Lincoln Center. He used the grant money to complete his story, hire an illustrator, and get his book published.
His book, The Bird Who Was Afraid to Fly, is now available on Amazon in print and digital formats. We sat down with Aubrey to talk to him about the process and what his plans are next.
GP: We’re so thrilled that you’ve been able to publish your book! Can you tell us how the award helped?
AH: The award actually helped me get over my most difficult hump because the book was already written. I was able to hire an illustrator and then publish the book through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
GP: The story is beautiful, as are the illustrations. How did you find an illustrator?
AH: I went through a variety of sources, but ended up using a freelance service. I found five different artists and I paid each of them to do a sample page from my manuscript, and they could choose their scene. It was great to see their interpretations, but Bahagia’s stood out immediately. Her art style kind of reminded of the art that was in the books that I read when I was young.
GP: Tell us about your writing process?
AH: My commute is kind of long, sometimes 2 ½ hours, depending on where the event is, so I use my commute to do most of my writing. I’ll write or think while I’m on public transportation or even during breaks and downtimes during events.
GP: Where do you get your ideas from?
AH: I get my ideas from everywhere, and a lot of them are about lessons that I essentially wish I could have learned when I was younger. But these are all coming from personal life experiences and that’s why it’s something I feel is incredibly relatable. And when I find inspiration, I’ll just jot down notes and come back to it when I’m off work.
GP: What’s your process as you’re developing your ideas?
AH: I would talk with some of the other staff at GP, especially the people who, when I first came up with the idea and discussed it with them, supported it from day one. Those are the pepole I would turn to and ask if they’d mind reading it for me and giving me their general opinion. That’s worked wonders for me.
GP: It sounds like you have a lot of ideas for new books. What’s next?
AH: Oh yes! I actually currently have two [books] already completely written. They do have to be edited, so that’s my next step, and then I’ll be working on trying to publish at least one if not both sometime this year.
Aubrey’s dedication to his craft and his goal of impacting the future generation through his writing is truly inspiring. It’s clear that his journey as an author is just beginning, and there’s much more to come from his creative endeavors.
“I will say about Central what I said about Noma, my 2023 Michelin pilgrimage: it was an entirely magical and worthy experience measured not only by the food, but also by the warm and wonderful service, the curated atmosphere, and the buzz of being in that place.”
In the style of New York Magazine’s “The Grub Street Diet” series, Morgan takes us through a week of eating in Lima, Cusco, and Aguas Calientes, Peru.
Wednesday, May 1st
It feels both celebratory and ceremonial to travel on the first of the month, ushering in a new period of discovery as the calendar page turns. Traveling to Lima for the wedding of a sweet, lovely pair of friends afforded me an incredible opportunity to explore a country that had long been on my “to visit” list. While I would love to say that my trip began steeped in Peru’s gastronomic opulence, I regret to report that my first “meal” was in my hotel room, an 11:30pm snarfing of the chickpea chips I bought at the Newark airport. Onward and upward!
Thursday, May 2nd
On my way out to our half day tour of Lima, I popped down to the hotel’s restaurant for a crispy little vegetable omelet, a cappuccino, a green juice, and a side of fresh fruit, the last of which went untouched but was quickly made up as we entered the stalls of Mercado Santa Rosita.
Our guide, Cesar, led us through the market, cracking open aguaymanto (Peruvian groundcherry), chirimoya, mango, and three types of passion fruit (standard maracuyá, “sweet” granadilla, and “banana” tumbo) for us to taste and pass between us. Wandering further into the market, we perused some of the country’s thousands of varieties of potatoes (4,000+!), patted our pinkie fingers on the pungent insides of hot peppers, and sat to enjoy sweet, creamy lúcuma smoothies. Cesar emphatically gestured between photos of a live guinea pig and its cooked counterpart on a “for sale” sign; unfortunately, I was not in the market – per se – for a cuy roast at the time.
After meandering through Parque Kennedy and Parque del Amor in Miraflores and visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier atop a headland in Chorrillos, we ended the tour in Barranco, where we stopped at Restaurante Javier to try picarones (Peruvian squash and sweet potato doughnuts with chancaca syrup) and take in a fantastic view of Lima’s coastline.
Our next stop – after a brief respite in our neatly pressed hotel bed – was a long, indulgent family-style lunch at the pioneering Astrid y Gastón with more of our friends. We had our first pisco sours of the trip – “Salud!” – and an array of sumptuous dishes including oxtail gyoza in green curry, octopus carpaccio, lúcuma tortellini with scallops, creamy loche pumpkin rice with oxtail ragout and bone marrow, whole Huachana-style sole meunière, and a fantastic variety of multihued bread and butter. I was drawn to the menu’s “Cute Devil Pasta” – (naturally) – but it didn’t make the shortlist; I’ll have to return to try it.
Back at the hotel, we took a solid nap before getting ready for – you guessed it – our next meal. The cool breeze of the night greeted us as we walked through Miraflores to Maido, the number six restaurant in the world renowned for its mastery in combining Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients. The 14-course Nikkei tasting menu and private dining room awaited our group of seven, and we delighted not only in the incredibly rich and delicious dishes, but also the volume and artistry of the tableside touches. A dropper of leche de tigre butter over a paiche ham and native potato cylinder, Nikkei sauce flowing out of a sea snail shell onto a bed of snails and aji amarillo foam, a gorgeous block of toro carved before us and draped over uni; the team’s thoughtful creativity and care elevated each dish to an organic spectacle. The night concluded with petits fours – luscious lúcuma mochi and a delicate but bold pod of Awajún cacao – tea, and a visit from the coming weekend’s bride and groom, who were dining just downstairs of us.
Friday, May 3rd
I walked to nearby coffee shop SOL first thing this morning for a few bites of a delicious focaccia sandwich, a cappuccino, and a chance to stretch my legs between two elaborate meals. Trotting back to the hotel with a cortado in hand for my friend, I was twittering with excitement, a goofy smile plastered on my face as we started our preparations for Central.
Eating at Central has been on my bucket list for years. The date that May reservations opened was marked on my calendar months in advance, and the frantic texts I sent when the website crashed at midnight were only a shade of the sinking disappointment in my stomach. I soon realized that I – and everyone else clamoring for a spring slot – had rushed to the page for nothing; it had not yet been updated with new dates. I solidified my reservation just shy of 9:00am the next day with a sigh of relief and the buzz of overjoyed adrenaline – whew!
We arrived a touch early for our 13:00 reservation and were greeted enthusiastically by security guards and hosts who led us through the broad garden, invited us to peruse the signature table of ingredients, and pulled out our chairs as we sat adjacent to the glass wall fronting the kitchen. And so began our next 14-course meal, resplendent in its showcase of food as an expression of Peru’s vast landscape and history. The menu was printed with the measure of sea level where each course’s components could be found (for example, my favorite dish, “Black Rocks,” comprised of squid, clams, and sargassum seaweed, was listed at 10 meters below sea level) and we sprang for the juice pairing that corresponded with the journey.
I will say about Central what I said about Noma, my 2023 Michelin pilgrimage: it was an entirely magical and worthy experience measured not only by the food, but also by the warm and wonderful service, the curated atmosphere, and the buzz of being in that place. Menus of this style explore food as a concept, as a reflection of an identity, and as a method of pushing the boundaries of cuisine and its industry. Many of the dishes were absolutely incredible, some were great, and one I would never eat again (while I loved the parade of pacu heads that arrived to the table with a dish called “Amazonian Water,” the squishy texture of the fish blend almost put a nail in my coffin while I was still sitting upright). I could debate the merits of the price tag with you all day but, to me, going to the number one restaurant in the world during its tenure on top is in itself a priceless and unforgettable treasure.
Back at the hotel, we bemoaned the hubris of eating meals of such heft in succession, cradling bottles of water as we attempted to rest before our friends’ wedding weekend welcome dinner. The dinner was held at Huaca Pucllana, a site housing a famous ancient adobe and clay pyramid on which excavation began only as recently as 1967 (!). Before dinner, we took a tour of the grounds, traipsing through the dirt in our high heels and bright, silky dresses before retiring to the adjacent restaurant for pisco sours, chilcanos, and hors d’oeuvres. Plates of salad, filet, and beautiful custard-filled meringue were set before me over the course of the night, and I regret to say that I had only single digit bites of each course, as I still couldn’t breathe properly after the extravagance of lunch. I also had a pisco sour, a sip of white wine, & three sips of a chilcano – but who’s counting? Add one passion fruit pisco sour while I danced at the rooftop afterparty and a bushel of room service fries just after 1:00am and that brings us to the end of a marathon day.
Saturday, May 4th
I woke up late and went downstairs to get a cappuccino from the hotel bar and pick up the chifa (Cantonese-Peruvian fusion cuisine) I had delivered. After devouring a trio of pork buns, I got ready for the wedding, dancing around the hotel room, steaming my dress, curling my hair, doing my makeup, and eating some chicken fried rice with my little cappuccino spoon (you have to pay extra for disposable utensils on the delivery app – smart and sustainable!). I hustled down to the wedding shuttle with a minute to spare.
At the wedding: Champagne. Sushi. A decadent and delicious dinner spread with the creamiest potatoes au gratin. Some salad for balance. More champagne. An espresso martini. A tequila shot? Lots of water. Back at my hotel room: Leftover chicken fried rice using the chickpea chips from night one as spoons. More water. More water. Ibuprofen.
Sunday, May 5th
I had a few nibbles of fried rice to get me on the road to the airport for our flight to Cusco, heeding my Peruvian friend’s advice that your body can adjust to the altitude (over 11,000 feet!) or digest, but it has a hard time doing both. Another few bites of a mind-blowing lechón (roasted pork) sandwich from La Lucha Sangucheria Criolla in the Lima airport and we were on our way, flying amongst the mountains as we descended into Cusco.
As we settled into our Airbnb, we drank cups of coca tea prepared by our host and marveled at the stunning view, which overlooked the sprawl of the city and the renowned Plaza de Armas. After some downtime, we headed down the winding brick roads to the plaza in search of dinner, deciding on Campo Cocina Andina on a recommendation from the maître d’ of its sister restaurant, Morena. There we shared choclo (Peruvian corn) con queso, alpaca skewers, and oxtail croquettes, and each of us got our own soup: a pumpkin stew, a slow-cooked beef soup, and for me – at this point quite sick from the altitude and very flush in the face – “Dieta de la Abuela,” a chicken noodle soup with native potatoes, egg, toasted Peruvian corn, & herbs described as “perfect for altitude sickness.”
On the way home, we loaded up on giant bottles of water and I tucked myself into bed, marveling at the twinkling lights of the city stretching out from my window.
Monday, May 6th
I woke up with a splitting headache and a boisterous stomach, so I ate very sparingly at breakfast at Organika Bakery & Coffee, grazing on an incredibly simple and delicious egg and vegetable toast, a cappuccino, a tall pint of green juice, and a cup of coca tea. After returning to our Airbnb to pack backpacks, we headed out to a tour of the Inca Empire’s most important temple – Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun – and then on to the bus depot to begin our journey to Machu Picchu.
After stopping at a café for a beef empanada, a ham and cheese sandwich to take on the road, and two more giant bottles of water, we boarded the bus to Ollantaytambo, where we switched to a train that would take us to the town of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu. On the train, we were given little boxes containing a quinoa bar, quinoa cookies, and a coca candy, all of which I squirreled away for later as I sipped my chamomile tea. We arrived at our hotel just before 9:00pm, showered, chatted, and were early to bed in preparation for our 5:00am wakeup.
Tuesday, May 7th
The crown jewel of the trip: Machu Picchu! Our entry tickets were for the 6:00am sunrise, so we grabbed the breakfast bags provided by our hotel and headed out to the 5:30am busses. I took down two croissant-type pastries in the predawn dark, gazing into the fog as we wound up through the tropical mountain forest.
The fog continued to hold strong as we strolled through the grounds, making our way to the entrance to Waynapicchu, the mountain that dominates the classic postcard photo of Machu Picchu. On we climbed, the first guests of the day to hike up through the mist to the summit, planting ourselves on adjacent boulders and staring into the blankness in hopes of a clearing sky. I savored a coca candy my friend threw over from her rock, tossing the honey flavor around my mouth as we continued to wait, and wait, and wait. Eventually, we sullenly began our descent, warning passing hikers that they may not get the view they were toiling for. In what I consider a magical turn of events, the blue sky began to emerge in the last ten minutes of our hike, treating us to breathtaking views of the majestic peaks around us and entreating everyone around to stop for scores of photos and videos. It was an unparalleled moment of pure joy.
We headed back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch, treating ourselves to a selection of classic Peruvian fare: fresh trout ceviche, lomo saltado, ají de gallina, and lúcuma ice cream (with a great little aguaymanto garnish). As with most meals, I guzzled still water and sipped a cappuccino. Just a short while beyond the end of the meal, we were back on the train to Ollantaytambo sipping coca tea, gossiping, and picking through the hundreds of photos of the trip we had shared.
Another bus and an Uber later and we were back at our Cusco Airbnb, where we showered and hopped back outside to return to Tarwi, a boutique I had seen in transit on Monday that I had been desperate to return to. Armed with two new alpaca sweaters (a long-sleeved version and a short-sleeved version! For any season!), we stopped into the more formal restaurant version of Organika for a mix of “tapitas” and a very comforting crock of lasagna.
Wednesday, May 8th
Yet again, I awoke in the five o’clock hour, this time to catch my flight back to Lima in preparation for my much longer flight back to NYC. In the Cusco airport, I had a beef empanada and – you guessed it – a cappuccino before I began the deep dive into my hellacious email inbox.
Once landed in Lima, I Ubered to my remote office (Airbnb) and set up shop, ordering in chicken soup, ají de gallina, a bottle of mate, and more giant bottles of water. The rest of the day was a blurry flurry of emails, and I stepped out at the end of the workday to have my final meal in Peru: ceviche and a Cusqueña beer. On a whim, I went to the bar across the street for a chicha sour before woefully returning to the Airbnb to grab my bag and head back to the airport.
One very stressful passport control line, an overnight flight, and a long, sunny Uber ride later and I was back in my East Village apartment, completely and blissfully exhausted. As my coca candy stock diminishes and my tan fades, what has stayed with me is not only the fresh, pure, extraordinarily deep flavors of my Peruvian dining experiences but also the warmth, generosity, and care of those who shared them with me. Salud a todos, y muchas, muchas gracias por todo.
This past May we were honored to cater the International Women’s Forum’s opening reception to their 50th Anniversary Leadership Conference at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). More than 1000 women from 30+ countries gathered to celebrate a legacy spanning 50 years of women leaders joining in community to support, uplift, and inspire each other.
During the conference itself, our CEO and Founder, Liz Neumark, was honored to receive the Women Who Made a Different Award, which salutes IWF members who have demonstrated innovative, tenacious, and transformational leadership, locally and globally.
The conference concluded with the 2024 Dine Around, a series of dinners, all taking place concurrently, at members’ homes throughout New York City. The largest one to date, it was the culmination of years of planning. Spearheaded by Gary Bedigan, Senior Event Director at Great Performances, it was a true demonstration of all of our core values at Great Performances.
We invited our event captains to capture the evening, showcasing their work in bringing Great Performances into each of the 44 private dinners at IWF members’ private homes, and we deployed chefs and captain-level waiters at each location. We invited our teams to share photos of themselves as they prepared for the event and the beautiful and diverse settings.
Our Team at IWF Dine Around
As we closed the evening, we were overwhelmed with the enthusiasm, camaraderie, and celebration of these incredible women as they gathered around the dinner tables to share a meal.
Dine Around 2024 Menu
Butlered Hors d’Oeuvres
- Chickpea Pani Puri, mint, candied cumin seeds
- Potato Cornet, wild mushroom mousse, sorrel
- Tamari Ginger Tuna Poke, crisp sesame tuile
First Course
- Cherries & Pearls Salad, bibb lettuce, goat cheese, radish, mint, tarragon
Entrée
- Branzino & Roasted Spring Vegetables, saffron, lemon, carraway crisp
- Vegan Torta Panzanella, roasted and smoked vegetables, herbed polenta, balsamic glaze, basil oil
Dessert
- Assorted Petit Fours, fresh fruit tartlet, flourless chocolate cake bite, key lime tartlet, lemon curd pavlova, carrot cake bite, vanilla macaron
MR. JOE JACKSON PRESENTS: JOE JACKSON SOLO & THE MUSIC OF MAX CHAMPION
Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th at 8:00pm
Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater
Tickets: $82.95
Joe Jackson will perform an unprecedented two part performance at The Apollo on Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th at 8:00pm.First, listen to the music of Joe Jackson solo, as he performs songs from his catalog. Then, Mr. Joe Jackson presents the music of Max Champion featuring a nine-piece band.
YUNG N LIT MUSIC FEST
Thursday, June 13th at 8:00pm
Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater
Tickets: start at $172.55
Yung N Lit Music Fest presented by Empowerment Music Group (EMG) featuring Cash Cobain & Bay Swag, Rubi Rose, Bobby Shmurda, Asian Doll, 5ive Mics, Girll Codee, Connie Diiamond, DJ Self, DJ Smooth and Diamond The Artist.
Film Screening:
The Making of America's First Guru
Monday, June 17th from 6:30pm t0 8:00pm
Tickets: $8 Members, $15 Nonmembers
Join us for a screening of excerpts from America’s First Guru, a PBS special documentary telling the story of legendary Indian monk Swami Vivekananda’s experiences and impact in America. The screening will be followed by a conversation with filmmaker Raja Choudhury, Dr. Mukesh Prasad of the Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute at Harvard University, and Swami Sarvapriyananda, Minister of the Vedanta Society of New York.
Leo Bar Happy Hour:
Celebrate Pride Month
Join Asia Society and the Human Rights Campaign to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month!
Thursday, June 20th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Tickets: $25 includes a free drink
Asia Society is partnering with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for a special Leo Bar to celebrate Pride on Thursday, June 20!
Enjoy a fabulous evening of networking with the LGBTQ+ community, and make new professional and personal connections. There will be a special exclusive performance by Broadway’s Jaygee Macapugay!
5:00 p.m. Doors open
5:30-6 p.m. Program
5:30-8 p.m. Music by DJ Kai Song, cocktails, & snacks
Cheryl Pepsii Riley’s Black Velvet Mondays Experience
Monday, June 3rd at 8:00pm
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Building, The Adam Space / BAM Café
Tickets: FREE
Chart-topping R&B vocalist Cheryl Pepsii Riley created a sensation with Black Velvet Mondays, the warm, welcoming weeknight concerts and jam sessions she initially launched in Greenwich Village. Now, she’s bringing it all back home to Brooklyn, the borough where she was born and raised, with a new series serving up free live music.
More than just an open-mic session, the Black Velvet Mondays Experience promotes artistry, music education, and community, and supports personal and creative expression, building confidence and growth among its artists. The showcase is known as a safe, encouraging space for singers, instrumentalists, dancers, and other performers of all kinds to hone their craft and Trust Their Gifts (the night’s mantra) before making the leap to the big time. You never know what well known or future superstar you might catch.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Tuesday, June 4th through Sunday, June 9th
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Building, Howard Gilman Opera House
Tickets: start at $35
The company that changed American dance forever returns to Brooklyn with two robust programs, featuring stunning works by Jamar Roberts, Hans van Manen, and Alonzo King, as well as iconic Ailey classics Memoria, A Song for You, Cry, and the transcendent masterpiece Revelations. Experience the agility and soul of “America’s most popular dance company” (The New Yorker) on the BAM stage, where Alvin Ailey first performed in 1956. Over 65 years later, the company continues to champion African American artistry and forge a bold new path for Ailey’s legacy—and modern dance itself.
First Saturday: Fruitful
Saturday, June 1st from 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Celebrate Pride with a glittering lineup of queer and trans artists, collectives, writers, and musicians who are creating opportunities for community and joy throughout Brooklyn. From erotic literary readings of the new anthology SLUTS to musical sets from freshly released records, the evening spotlights recent art that’s shaping queer culture.
Funky Reggae House Party Presents a Brooklyn Pride Carnival
Saturday, June 8th from 7:00pm t0 12:00am
Location: Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion and Lobby and Great Hall, 1st Floor
Tickets: start at $15 ($25 after the first 100 tickets are sold) and include after-hours access to Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
Celebrate Brooklyn Pride with Funky Reggae House Party, a Brooklyn-based collective that amplifies queer and trans West Indian community. Lime and vibe with a dynamic lineup of DJs and other live performances, featuring founders Visuallocs and Captain Dymond and special guests Boston Chery, A.Sauce, Cakey Koutour, Krys X, and Alex Mali.
Influenced by the colorful traditions of their homeland, Trinidad, Funky Reggae House Party enhances the range of Caribbean creative contributions to Brooklyn nightlife and beyond. When they’re not palancing at events, they are working hard behind the scenes to open a queer West Indian bar and community space called The Village BK.
Celebrating Juneteenth
Charles Turner & Uptown Swing
Sunday, June 16th at 4:00pm
Tickets: FREE
Join Caramoor as we celebrate African American freedom and achievement! Known as our country’s second Independence Day, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and honors their families, heritage, and resilience. Millions celebrate this nationally and globally significant American holiday. Channeling the spirit of Harlem with vibrant swing and vital blues, Charles Turner & Uptown Swing perform music from the 1920s to the present day. Family-friendly activities complete this annual June jubilee steeped in tradition and joy. All are welcome! This event is FREE.
Summer Gala
Honoring Wynton Marsalis
Saturday, June 22nd at 5:00pm
Welcome summer with an extraordinary evening at Caramoor! Celebrate our 10-year collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and help us honor virtuoso jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and longtime Caramoor friend Wynton Marsalis. Gather with your Caramoor community to sip cocktails before you settle into your premium concert seating in the Venetian Theater, where the joyful sound of big band jazz — performed by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra — will envelop you. After the concert, finish your memorable evening with an elegant dinner and dessert under a canopy of twinkling stars.
JAZZTOPAD FESTIVAL: KRIS DAVIS & LUTOSLAWSKI QUARTET
World Premiere of ‘The Solastalgia Suite’
Thursday, June 13th at 7:00pm & 9:00pm
Tickets: start at $20
Part of Poland’s 8th Jazztopad Festival, Dizzy’s Club proudly presents Kris Davis and the Lutoslawski Quartet premiering The Solastalgia Suite. Drawing inspiration from Olivier Messiaen’s haunting Quartet for the End of Time composed amid the turmoil of World War II, The Solastalgia Suite explores the impact of environmental change. Davis bonds influential elements from Messiaen, Beyoncé, and Cecil Taylor, creating a living work that dissolves clear boundaries between what’s scripted and what’s spontaneous.
For the past twenty years, Jazztopad Festival has commissioned music from major American and European artists including Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, Jason Moran, Joelle Leandre, Vincent Courtois, William Parker, Vijay Iyer and Terence Blanchard. Jazztopad’s international creative partnerships have included such prestigious organizations as the Monterey Jazz Festival, Kennedy Center, London Jazz Festival and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Live recordings from the festival have been released by ECM and Blue Note Records.
The American edition of Jazztopad is first and foremost an opportunity to get to know the most important artists of the Polish contemporary jazz scene, which is a strongly recognized brand in the world both in terms of the quality of the festivals and the artistry of the featured musicians.
The project is organized by the National Forum of Music in Wroclaw in partnership with the Polish Cultural Institute New York.
JOE FARNSWORTH’S TIME TO SWING QUINTET
Thursday, June 20th through Sunday, June 23rd
Tickets: start at $20
A true mentor who leadsby example, drummer and composer Joe Farnsworth brings his intergenerational ensemble to Dizzy’s Club. Over four nights, the award-winning artist’s Time to Swing Quintet presents a high-octane program of blistering solos, dynamic ballads, and joyful spontaneity at its highest level. Don’tmiss this special performance that features three generations of master artists.
ARTEMIS
Friday, May 31st and Saturday, June 1st
Location: The Appel Room
Tickets: start at $65.50
Experience the 2023 DownBeat Jazz Group of the Year in front of the breathtaking backdrop of the NYC skyline in The Appel Room. The all-star supergroup Artemis performs original music from its distinguished members comprised of modern jazz bandleaders and composers. Join us for an evening of unparalleled musical brilliance led by pianist and musical director Renee Rosnes, and featuring alto saxophonist and flautist Alexa Tarantino, tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller.
RHYTHMS OF INDIA: THE JLCO WITH WYNTON MARSALIS
Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th
Location: Rose Theater
Tickets: start at $40.50
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis presents Rhythms of India, continuing its proud tradition of international community building and cultural exchange. In collaboration with master Indian artists – flautist Jay Gandhi, tabla artist Anubrata Chatterjee, ghatam artist Ghatam Umashankar, and vocalists Malini Awasthi and Roopa Mahadevan – the JLCO bonds the melodies and rhythms of raga-based music and different folk styles with the tradition of jazz – a union poised to captivate audiences of all ages.
Drawing inspiration from iconic Indian compositions like “Kesariya Balam,” echoing the voices of Rajput princesses welcoming home their beloveds, and classic raga “Miyan Malhar,” evoking thundering clouds and pouring rain, this Rose Theater performance invites listeners on a journey through colorful soundscapes and moving stories. From the lively Punjabi folk song “Kothe Te Aa Mahiya” to the soul-stirring Thumri “Ka Karu Sajni,” each piece reflects a unique aspect of Indian culture and history.
Witness this vibrant exchange of ideas and celebration of diversity!
First Friday
Friday, June 7th from 10:00am to 9:00pm
Tickets: FREE!
Join Poster House on the First Friday of every month for free admission and extended hours! Explore the museum’s latest exhibitions and get in on the fun by attending a tour, workshop, performance, or activity throughout the day. Every First Friday is different, offering unique opportunities to engage with rotating exhibitions and the permanent collection.
1-7pm Drop-In Pride Poster-Making Workshop
1pm Zoolander Screening
3pm Wonder City of the World Curatorial Tour
5pm Genius on Display: Sohia Yeshi
6:30pm Miss Poster House NYC
Drink & Draw: Queer Artist Stories
Friday, June 21st from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Tickets: $40
Queer Artist Stories offers a unique twist on traditional figure drawing sessions. Instead of a passive model, a local queer artist will be posing and sharing their personal story while participants sketch them. The session aims to provide a platform for LGBTQ+ artists to share their compelling narratives.
This event fosters an intimate dialogue between the artists and the attendees. The session will kick off with short warm-up poses before progressing to four 10-minute poses, during which the artist will cover topics such as technique, style, community, and inspiration from a queer perspective.
Father’s Day
Sunday, June 16th from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: on the grounds
Tickets: Father’s Day is a premium day for admission at the front entrance; $2 surcharge per visitor.
Father’s Day comes just as summer is filling our hearts. Celebrate Dad with a memorable day in vibrant gardens. Spend the day together with a special Family Art Project, a guided walk in the gardens and a free session of community yoga.
Enjoy the very rare opportunity to picnic on the Wave Hill House Lawn. Bring your own feast or purchase a delicious picnic curated by our exclusive partner Great Performances. Limited, first come, first served seating will also be available in Armor Hall for picnic purchasers. If you would like to picnic on the Wave Hill House Lawn, you may bring your own blanket and outdoor folding chairs.
Carnegie Hall Citywide Concert: Jasmine Rice LaBeija
Thursday, June 27th from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Location: Great Lawn; Rain Site: Armor Hall
Tickets: Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays
“Drag is a grand opera” according to renowned drag artist Jasmine Rice LaBeija—and she should know. A Juilliard-trained tenor with a commanding voice and razor-sharp wit, LaBeija has sold out performances at the Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process series, Lincoln Center, and queer clubs around the world. In addition to being the International Godmother of the Royal House of LaBeija—recently shouted out in Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul (Queens Remix)”—she has also been a host of Dragged and was the face of New York City’s 2020 Pride celebrations. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of New York’s great entertainers in this free presentation in partnership with Carnegie Hall Citywide.
CITYPICKLE AT WOLLMAN RINK
Projected Opening May 1st
Open Daily from 8:00am to 9:00pm
Court rentals, clinics, open play, special events…we have you covered.
We welcome all levels, from beginners to elite players.
Come play on our 14 courts, the largest pickleball offering in the Northeast!
Explore exciting community events around the Bronx this month.
BRONX NIGHT MARKET
AT FORDHAM PLAZA
Saturday, June 1st from 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Tickets: FREE with RSVP!
As the longest-running event series in the northmost borough, the Bronx Night Market stands as a transformative force, revolutionizing the foodie scene and cultivating a deep connection to the identity of the Bronx. With a remarkable lineup of 50 local vendors, this iconic market draws over 4,000 guests each time, making it a thriving hub for community engagement and culinary exploration. Beyond its diverse array of cuisines and unique vendors, the Night Market serves as a dynamic platform for local businesses, providing a stage for the wealth of talents within the Bronx. The event embodies the spirit of the borough, celebrating its unique identity through a fusion of flavors, cultures, and entrepreneurial spirit. The Bronx Night Market is not merely a culinary gathering; it is a powerful reflection of the community’s resilience, creativity, and collective pride, contributing to the borough’s cultural richness and economic vibrancy.
FIRST FRIDAY JUNE 2024:
ART, MUSIC, & DANCING!
Friday, June 7th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Tickets: FREE with RSVP!
Get ready to get down to the irresistible beats of DJ Ultra Violet! Uptown Vinyl Supreme will also be in the house. The evening’s festivities pay tribute to the GOAT, Prince—on what would have been his 66th birthday—with funky old-school tunes.
Take a break from dancing to check out the Museum’s current exhibition: Bronx Calling: The Sixth AIM Biennial (Part Two), featuring work by 27 artists who completed our AIM Fellowship program in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The work on view powerfully engages with the complexities of the human condition: from our inseparability from nature to the dictates of our cultural identities and norms.
FAMILY TIME JUNE 2024: FREE ART-MAKING FOR ALL AGES
Saturday, June 15th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Tickets: FREE! no RSVP needed.
All are welcome to participate in free art activities led by Bronx Museum Education Staff Members! The activities are geared toward families with young children, but fun for everyone.
GARDENING TUESDAY AT THE FOODWAY
Tuesday, June 11th from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Concrete Plant Park
Join the Bronx River Alliance select Tuesdays from 10a-12pm for stewardship activities such as litter removal, weeding, mulching, watering & planting at different rain gardens & newly planted tree sites along the Bronx River!
On Tuesday, June 11th, we will be stewarding the Foodway at Concrete Plant Park. We will meet volunteers at Concrete Plant Park (1370 Westchester Ave) Bronx, NY. Please wear clothing appropriate for outdoor weather and gardening/cleaning activities. We also recommend bringing snacks and a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. All gloves and tools needed will be provided by the Alliance.
STARLIGHT PARK WETLAND PLANTING
Friday, June 14th from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Location: Westchester Avenue Park Entrance in Concrete Plant Park
Join the Stewardship Team to restore the saltwater marsh in Starlight Park with a volunteer plug planting! Urban wetlands provide important benefits including improving water quality, retaining stormwater, and serving as critical habitats for native wildlife! Please note, that volunteers should dress in clothes that can get dirty and close-toed shoes. We also encourage volunteers to bring their own water bottles. Space is limited and registration is required. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone.
CONNECTING WITH NATURE THROUGH YOGA
Sunday, June 9th from 11:00am to 12:00pm
Location: Crotona Nature Center
Join Urban Park Rangers for an hour of nature themed yoga and meditation. Learn some poses inspired by animals and the natural world. Then restore balance to your body with a chakra meditation. Please bring a mat.
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN BY JAMES BALDWIN
Thursdays, 7-8:30p: June 6, 13, 20, 27, & Wednesday, July 3
– Bronx Collab, 3866 White Plains Rd, Bronx, NY
Saturdays, 12-1:30p: Jun 8, 15, 22, 29, & July 6
– Bronx River Community Garden, 180th St. & Devoe Ave
Tuesdays, 7-8:30p: Jun 11, 18, 25, & July 2
– on Zoom
In an exploration of FAITH in America, we’ve paired Temple Folk with Go Tell It On The Mountain.
First published in 1953, Baldwin chronicles a fourteen-year-old boy’s discovery of the terms of his identity as the stepson of the minister of a storefront Pentecostal church in Harlem.
Juneteenth + Pride Month Poetry House Open Mic: Reflect, Empower, and Unite
Monday, June 17th from 6:00pm t0 9:00pm
Location: ID Studio Theater (311 East 140th Street, Bronx)
Tickets: FREE and open to all.
Join us for an evening celebrating Pride Month and its themes: Reflect, Empower, and Unite. Don’t miss the launch of Poetry House’s first zine! And, as part of the Literary Freedom Project’s James Baldwin centenary celebration, we’ll honor Baldwin’s legacy with blackout poetry, and more.
5 PM: Collaging, screening and discussion on Baldwin’s work
6-9 PM: Blackout poetry, open mic performances and zine launch
WONDERLAND NIGHTS
June 1, 8, 14*, & 15 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Special Ticket Required: $29 for Member and $39 for Non-Member
Enter Wonderland at dusk—a madly beautiful world! Join us to experience Wonderland: Curious Nature in a new light with a full cast of characters on the scene and specialty themed cocktails that make for the perfect evening out. In a spectacular show of rhythm and delight, Thistle Dance invites you to let loose during the Mad Hatter’s dance party.
PRIDE NIGHT
Friday, June 14th from 7:00pm t0 10:00pm
Tickets: $39 for Non-Members; $29 for Members
Celebrate Pride at NYBG with a twilight viewing of Wonderland: Curious Nature, and get into your element with a ballroom class led by Legendary NYC Father Malik Miyake-Mugler accompanied by his amazing house members. Will you serve face? Strut across the runway? We invite you to vogue the house down.
THE SOUNDVIEW GARDENER'S CLUB
every Tuesday from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: Soundview Field House – 1550 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx
The Soundview Gardener’s Club is a space where After-School students from local schools and community volunteers come together to clear invasive plants, plant trees/native plants, and spread mulch as part of our forest restoration efforts in Soundview Park in The Bronx.
NYC Parks Presents: Schools Out Celebration
Thursday, June 20th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm
Location: Metcalf Playground in Soundview Park
Join NYC Parks for a School’s Out Celebration. Activities will include games, activities and much more. This event is free and open to the public.
National Trails Day: Van Cortlandt Super Hike
Saturday, June 1st from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Location: Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park
Urban Park Rangers will lead hikers through some of the hidden gems of Van Cortlandt Park on an 8 mile journey through the park’s diverse forests and ecosystems. Registration is required. Registration opens on Wednesday May 22.
Juneteenth Celebration
Wednesday, June 19th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Location: Van Cortlandt House Museum in Van Cortlandt Park
Van Cortlandt Park Alliance and Bronx Arts Ensemble invite you to an evening celebration of Juneteenth at the Van Cortlandt House Museum.
The program will begin on the lawn of the Van Cortlandt House Museum with performances, including music and spoken word. Then join us for a procession with drums to the Enslaved African Burial Ground for a libation ceremony, honoring the memory of the enslaved people.
Guest artists include renowned drummer Baba Don Babatunde, actress Ashley Hart Adams, violist Judith Insell, mezzo-soprano Lucia Bradford and the NYC All City High School Chorus, poet David Mills and West African drummer Yahaya Kamate.
Special thank you to our venue partners at the Van Cortlandt House Museum and the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.
Juneteenth Celebration
Thursday, June 13th from 4:30pm to 8:00pm
Tickets: Free, and admission to the grounds is free on Thursdays
Location: Great Lawn, Rain moves indoors
Celebrate Juneteenth and honor Black history, achievement and resilience with an evening of performances, artmaking and more. Picnic on the Great Lawn and enjoy a tasty treat of specialty ice cream while supplies last, courtesy of Only Rare NYC. Decorate colorful plant pots inspired by stories of hope and liberation. The celebration culminates with engaging musical and dance performances that highlight the Black experience in the United States. This is a free community event; all ages are welcome.
5:00PM – 7:00PM: Complementary rolled ice cream by Only Rare NYC
6:00PM: Musical performance by Bahati Barton
7:00PM: Dance performance by Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet
Family Tree for Father’s Day
Saturday, June 15th from 10:00am to 1:00pm
Tickets: Free with admission to the grounds
Location: meet at Wave Hill House
Celebrate a father figure in your life. We’ll design a tree sculpture using our families as inspiration. Personalize this as a special gift to hold precious photographs or drawings.
At 11:30AM, families can enjoy a storytime program in the Gund Theater; all ages welcome. We will be celebrating the Juneteenth holiday with a reading of the book, Baby’s Asleep by JayNay Brown-Wood.
The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital: Brittany Olivia Logan, Hannah Jones, Matthew Cairns
Wednesday, June 26th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center
An annual summer tradition, the Metropolitan Opera’s popular concert series in New York City parks continues with a free outdoor recital. Three of today’s most exciting young stars— soprano Brittany Olivia Logan, mezzo-soprano Hannah Jones, and tenor Matthew Cairns—come together for an effervescent evening of favorite arias, duets, and ensembles, accompanied by Deborah Robertson at the piano.
Did you know that Great Performances is headquartered in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx? We love being a part of the Bronx community, supporting other Bronx-based companies, and giving back to our community.
On the surface, a wedding planner may not seem like an essential expense, especially when pitted against the more obvious needs of food, your dream venue, and a good DJ. But what most newly-weds-to-be don’t know is that hiring a wedding planner can actually save you money.
And that’s not all. Great Performances Wedding Specialist Amanda DiUglio spoke on the ways in which hiring a wedding planner might just save your big day.
Save Time
“Let the planner do the hard work. Let them research and find out information about all the places you’re looking [and] at the vendors so you don’t have to do any of the stressful things. They can come in [and] they can say here are my top five recommendations and take you through it without you having to do the hours and hours of work it really takes to plan the perfect wedding.”
Save Money
“They can help negotiate. They can help recommend different vendors that might have different price points. They can get you exactly what you’re looking for and help you really craft your budget to make sure it works all within what you’re looking to spend.”
Save Energy
“Your planners have worked in weddings for normally a very long time and have a good list of vendors who they love partnering with. They’re suggesting them because they do a great job and they want your wedding to come out perfect. So trust their recommendations and really look into the vendors that they recommend.”
Each season has its perks and pitfalls when it comes to planning a wedding, but oftentimes the positives can outweigh the more unfavorable aspects.
Great Performances Wedding Specialist Amanda DiUglio highlighted for us the top 3 reasons why you should consider getting married in the spring.
#1 All is in bloom
Flourishing in the influx of sunny days, gardens and greenery are bound to be blooming in abundance. Whether you decide to host your ceremony outside or indoors, pulling from the lush natural elements is sure to give your special day an extra dose of serenity. From bountiful bouquets to stunning organic backdrops, you can’t go wrong with incorporating the fruits of the season in your wedding design.
#2 Post-winter and ready to party
Shedding the dreary days of constant gray, woodland creatures aren’t the only ones emerging from hibernation. Though more of the metaphorical variety, it’s undeniable that the first signs of sunlight draw out even the most introverted individual’s desire to socialize. A spring wedding is an enticing break from the monotony of the colder months, sure to increase that RSVP rate and bring together all those you haven’t seen since before the first snowfall.
#3 Temperate temperatures
With warm afternoons and cool evenings, the moderate embrace of spring is sure to create a comfortable atmosphere for your many celebrations. The perfect porridge for a wide array of guests, you’re certain to settle somewhere “just right” when it comes to desired degrees. No sweating through suits or shivering in sleeveless dresses, there will be smiles all around, allowing for an enjoyable exchange of vows.
Main photo credit Gulnara Samoilova
We invited our colleague, Bella Camara, a garde manger cook, to share her experience of working in food service during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a holy month that is observed as a time of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
Ramdan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. During the month of Ramadan Muslims around the globe fast from sunrise to sunset. Meaning that we can eat or drink anything while the sun is out. Ramadan is the month that the holy Quran began to be revealed to Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). It is an obligation upon all Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan except children who have not reach puberty, the elderly, women who are menstruating, women breastfeeding a newborn, and people who are physically or mentally sick. Ramadan is not only the month of fasting but the month of giving charity and feeding the less fortunate.
It takes a lot of discipline and self-control to work in the kitchen while fasting during the month of Ramadan. Many people who are not Muslims always ask, how do we (as Muslims) do it. The reason we can fast while working with food is because many of us have been fasting since we were 14 or 15 years. Even though we have been fasting since we were teenagers, being around food while fasting is very tempting because your sense of smell is heightened, and your body is craving food. But you must focus on the rewards you will get if you do not break your fast before sunset and the sins if you break (without any valid reason) your fast before sunset. We also try to keep our minds off the food as much as possible when we are fasting. It is not that difficult to fast during Ramadan while working with food.
STRENGTH OF A WOMAN PRESENTS: TIFFANY HADDISH
Friday, May 10th at 8:00pm
Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater
Tickets: $72.70
Live Nation and Mary J. Blige are bringing the third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit to New York City for weekend full of activities dedicated to empowering, educating, and elevating, women. One of the annual staples of the festival is the comedy show. This year’s show will feature a headlining set from Tiffany Haddish with support from Don’t Call me White Girl and Paris Sashay.
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM FAMILY MATINEE: HARLEM MOUSE/COUNTRY MOUSE
Saturday, May 18th at 3:00pm
Location: Apollo’s Historic Theater
Tickets: start at $25
The Dance Theatre of Harlem presents a family matinee of Harlem Mouse/Country Mouse – an exciting retelling of Aesop’s Fable, City Mouse and Country Mouse.
Harlem Mouse/Country Mouse references the rich traditions of the Black South, modern-day life in Harlem, and the unique expressions of dance, music and poetry that arise when cultures collide. It unites the dynamic artists of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Company together with students from the Dance Theatre of Harlem School. Conceived as a celebration of the Harlem community, this full-length story ballet is an uplifting event for the whole family!
“Dance Theatre of Harlem…a premier ballet company and global ambassador for excellence and diversity.” -Sarah L. Kaufman, Washington Post.
Directed and conceived by Robert Garland and Tai Jimenez
LEO BAR HAPPY HOUR
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month!
Thursday, May 9th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Tickets: $25 includes a free drink
Visit Asia Society’s new exhibition, COAL + ICE with an evening of cocktails, music, and catching up on Thursday, May 9th from 5:30 to 8 PM.
Enjoy the gorgeous Garden Court as you look at art, mingle with friends, and make new connections at Asia Society!
A ticket includes one drink, followed by a cash bar. Kindly note this event is only open to guests 21 years old and over.
Music by DJ Kai Song.
DANCING THE GODS
In Partnership with World Music Institute
Asia Society is pleased to collaborate with World Music Institute for Dancing the Gods, an annual festival of Indian Dance celebrating its 13th year, featuring some of the leading performers of Indian dance. Each night begins with a slide presentation by Rajika Puri, festival curator, and acclaimed dance storyteller.
Night One – Kasi Aysola and Archana Raja (Kuchipudi)
Friday, May 10th from 7:15pm to 10:00pm
Kasi Aysola is a performer, choreographer, and nattuvangam artist based in the United States. Apart from his solo performances, as Artistic Director of the Prakriti Dance Company, he also collaborates with and trains artists across America. Moreover, he is renowned for his original rhythmic compositions and the musical insight with which he has accompanied dance artists like Rama Vaidyanathan, Mythili Prakash, and Janaki Rangarajan, all of whom have appeared in Dancing the Gods over the years. WMI last presented Kasi as part of our virtual Dancing the Gods festival in 2022, where he performed the world premiere of a series of Kuchipudi works. For this year’s festival, he will be joined by Archana Raja, a Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi practitioner, teacher, and choreographer based in the Bay Area who is currently a student of Kasi in the Vempati style of Kuchipudi.
Night Two – Rama Vaidyanathan (solo Bharatanatyam)
Sunday, May 12th from 7:15pm to 10:00pm
Rama Vaidyanathan is one of the foremost Bharatanatyam dancers of her generation and is also the recipient of the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar awarded by the central government of India. Her technique is grounded in tradition, yet she brings a fresh approach to her choreography that is evident in the innumerable dance compositions she has added to the Bharatanatyam repertoire. As Director of Ganesa Natyalaya New Delhi, she is actively engaged in teaching and nurturing young dancers, inspiring a whole new generation. Rama opened the very first Dancing the Gods festival in 2011.
IRONWEED: An Evening of Art & Humanity
Friday, May 17th at 7:30pm
Location: BAM Strong, Harvey Theater
Tickets: start at $35
Four-time Academy Award nominee Mark Ruffalo and two-time Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht star in an innovative mix of live performance and recorded sound directed by Jodie Markell and produced by Brad Gilbert, based on a new play adapted from William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. IRONWEED: An Evening of Art & Humanity offers a heartbreaking look at a man’s end-of-life reckoning during the Great Depression. Set on All Hallows’ Eve in 1938 on the streets of Albany, the play follows one man’s journey through purgatory and his struggle for redemption, bringing to life the poetry, humor, and heartbreak of Kennedy’s prose. The evening includes select readings of scenes from a new stage version of the novel, adapted by Kennedy and Markell. Following the performance, Ruffalo and Hecht discuss the timeliness of IRONWEED and the current crisis of the unhoused with local advocates, moderated by The New Yorker writer and author Vinson Cunningham. This exclusive one-night event offers a memorable, moving experience of the power of creative expression to illuminate the human condition.
DanceAfrica 2024
Friday, May 24th through Monday, May 27th
Location: Peter Jay Sharp Building, Howard Gilman Opera House
Tickets: start at $25
This year, the festival’s anchor performance, under the artistic vision of Abdel R. Salaam, welcomes the illustrious Cameroonian dance company Cie La Calebasse, founded by acclaimed choreographer and dancer Merlin Nyakam. Renowned for captivating performances that blend traditional African dance with contemporary flair, Cie La Calebasse presents an array of traditional Cameroonian dances and music. The program, titled Cameroon: The Origin of Communities/A Calabash of Cultures, also fosters a unique collaboration with the DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers and The Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble, joined by Women Of The Calabash, an ensemble known for its mesmerizing polyphonic sound. The artistic vision is brought to life with costume designs by Wunmi Olaiya, lighting design by Al Crawford, set design by Jasiri Kafele, and music and sound design by David Margolin Lawson, creating an immersive experience that celebrates the depth of Cameroonian culture.
First Saturday: In Bloom
Saturday, May 4th from 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Celebrate spring, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and our exhibitions Artland and Hiroshige’s 100 Famous Views of Edo (feat. Takashi Murakami). May’s First Saturday features a lineup of artists, poets, and musicians from the Asian diaspora in Brooklyn and beyond.
This program is free; registration is required and includes Museum general admission. Tickets are released on a rolling basis. Sign up for the Brooklyn Museum newsletter to be notified of the next release.
Brooklyn Pop-Up Market
every Sunday from 10:30am to 5:30pm
Location: Iris Cantor Plaza, 1st Floor
Stop by our market to shop one-of-a-kind, handmade items from local artisans. This weekly event features more than 20 vendors offering artwork, jewelry, fashion, home and apothecary goods, and more.
This event is free and takes place outdoors (rain location: Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, 1st Floor).
Jake Blount
Presented in Collaboration with City Winery
Saturday, May 11th at 8:00pm
Tickets: start at $40
When Jake Blount stumbled upon a banjo performance in an Ethiopian restaurant around a decade ago, he instantly fell in love with the instrument. Now you’ll instantly fall in love with him — banjoist, fiddler, singer, scholar, and entertainer — as he explores the folk traditions of Black and indigenous Americans. A recipient of the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize, Blount will blend his “charismatic and limber” voice (The Guardian) with blues, bluegrass, and spirituals for a deeply fulfilling musical experience.
An Evening Of Wine
A Benefit for Caramoor’s Education Programs
Saturday, May 18th at 6:00pm
Tickets: $2,500
By joining us this evening, you are contributing to the vibrant experiences that Caramoor offers, fostering a sense of discovery and inspiration among all who visit. We believe these educational programs will ignite a lasting passion for the arts within our community, nurturing creativity and curiosity for generations to come. We hope you’ll join us.
Schedule
6:00pm / Cocktails
7:00pm / Musical Performance by Stella Cole
8:00pm / Dinner by Chef Jesse Schenker & Silent Auction of Rare Wines
10:00pm / Cigar Lounge and Nightcaps
VICTOR GOINES QUARTET
Friday, May 17th through Sunday, May 19th
Tickets: start at $25
Join tenor master, clarinetist, and longtime JLCO member and music director Victor Goines as he leads his 4-piece ensemble at Dizzy’s Club. An artist of compelling versatility, Goines has collaborated with a diverse roster of leaders, including Ahmad Jamal, Ruth Brown, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Dizzy Gillespie, Lenny Kravitz, Branford Marsalis, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder.
SUN RA AT 110 WITH SULLIVAN FORTNER'S GALACTIC FRIENDS
Wednesday, May 22nd and Thursday, May 23rd
Tickets: start at $25
Celebrating what would have been composer/keyboardist Sun Ra’s 110th birthday on May 22, Grammy-winning, Earth-born, New Orleans pianist/keyboardist Sullivan Fortner has summoned his most galactic-minded of friends to delve into Sun Ra’s inventive and adventurous music. From swing to free to earthy and spacey, Fortner and his fellow explorers – including Sun Ra Arkestra veterans and Grammy-winners – will embrace the eclecticism that marked Sun Ra’s atmospheric musical forays.
In the immortal words of Sun Ra:
In the half-between world,
Dwell they: The Tone Scientists
In notes and tone
They speak of many things…
The tone scientists:
Architects of planes of discipline
Mathematically precise are they:
The tone-scientists
–Sun Ra
ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND COMPETITION & FESTIVAL
Friday, May 10th and Saturday, May 11th
Location: Rose Theater
Tickets: start at $25.50
The annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is one of the most innovative jazz education events in the world. Each year, high school musicians from across North America travel to New York City to spend three days immersed in workshops, jam sessions, rehearsals, and performances at the “House of Swing,” Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
BATTLE OF THE BIG BANDS: NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA AND CAPTAIN BLACK BIG BAND
Friday, May 17th and Saturday, May 18th
Location: Rose Theater
Tickets: start at $40.50
When The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra with Adonis Rose, a 20-piece ensemble of intergenerational voices representing the birthplace of jazz, faces off against the Captain Black Big Band with Orrin Evans, a bold, swinging assemblage of artists from Philadelphia and the mid-Atlantic, expect a high-energy, roof-shaking rumble, as they duke it out to the music of Count Basie, Sun Ra, Stevie Wonder, and more, in one of jazz’s most beloved traditions, in The House of Swing.
First Friday
Friday, May 3rd from 10:00am to 9:00pm
Tickets: FREE!
Join Poster House on the First Friday of every month for free admission and extended hours! Explore the museum’s latest exhibitions and get in on the fun by attending a tour, workshop, or activity throughout the day. This month, the museum is thrilled to partner with Welcome to Chinatown for a series of programs that celebrate the culture, community, and resilience of Chinatown. Stop by and learn more about Welcome to Chinatown and how you can support the organization’s recovery efforts.
Sleepless in Seattle Movie Screening
Friday, May 17th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Tickets: FREE!
The Anatomy of a Movie Poster: The Work of Dawn Baillie includes some of the most iconic and beloved posters in modern cinematic history. Throughout the exhibition, Poster House will screen a selection of films from the movie-focused exhibition. On Friday, May 17, there will be a free screening of the romantic classic, Sleepless in Seattle. The year before this poster was created, Dawn became one of the first female cofounders of a Hollywood design studio. This poster was one of the first she created with the use of Photoshop—at the time, a new digital tool many studios were not yet using. Be sure to stop by Café des Affiches for exclusive, themed drinks and snacks to accompany the screening!
Mother's Day
Sunday, May 12th from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Location: on the grounds
Tickets: Mother’s Day is a premium day for admission at the front entrance; $2 surcharge per visitor. Free admission for children 5 & under.
Wonderfully timed to coincide with the arrival of spring, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to pull out all the stops. Plan to spend the day in the gardens, with a special Family Art Project, a guided walk in the gardens, a session of spring birding, and free sessions of community and family yoga. Links below.
Enjoy the very rare opportunity to picnic on the Wave Hill House Lawn. Bring your own feast or purchase a delicious picnic curated by our exclusive partner Great Performances. Limited, first come, first served seating will also be available in Armor Hall for picnic purchasers. If you would like to picnic on the Wave Hill House Lawn, you may bring your own blanket and outdoor folding chairs.
Night Out at Wave Hill: The Birders Lounge
Saturday, May 18th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Location: Wave Hill House
Tickets: $25; including admission to the grounds. Members save 10%
Don’t let the fun end! Grab your friends or a date and spend a leisurely spring evening at Wave Hill with fellow birders and nature enthusiasts. Enjoy drinks and a lively round of Birders Trivia with local bird guide Gabriel Willow as your host, and hang out on our tented café terrace with gorgeous views of the open lawns and woodlands. Wrap up your evening with a guided nature walk as the birds are heading home to roost or enjoy a quiet sunset from the café terrace or the Great Lawn. No birding experience necessary! Cash bar with a variety of local beers and themed cocktails. Ages 21 and older.
CITYPICKLE AT WOLLMAN RINK
Projected Opening May 1st
Open Daily from 8:00am to 9:00pm
Court rentals, clinics, open play, special events…we have you covered.
We welcome all levels, from beginners to elite players.
Come play on our 14 courts, the largest pickleball offering in the Northeast!